The SIMGASM Hobby is a compact aluminium profile cockpit with clear strengths and a few honest limits. On the plus side, it measures only 500 x 1270 x 580 mm, offers four wheel mounts for most brands, comes in many colours and liveries and includes tools, gloves and a shifter arm. Owners rate it 4.97 out of 5 from 32 reviews. On the minus side, its 40x40 mm profile has a 150 kg pedal deck rating and a 16 Nm torque guidance, and the seat and monitor stand cost extra.
Below we go through every pro and con in detail. At the end you know if the SIMGASM Hobby fits your plans, or if the Club suits you better.
The pros of the Hobby cockpit
These are the points where the Hobby stands out in its class.
Compact size for real rooms
At 50 cm wide and 127 cm long, the Hobby fits in a bedroom, office or shared gaming room. SIMGASM made it on purpose for spaces where a simulator must not take over the room. With a compact seat and optional caster wheels, you move it out of the way more easily than a larger frame.
A real aluminium profile frame
The Hobby is the entry point of the range, but it is still a genuine aluminium profile simulator. Your wheelbase, pedals and seat sit on one adjustable platform. You return to the same driving position every time, and you adjust each part along the profile slots.
Four wheel mounts and many brands
You choose a Bottom Mount, Front Mount, Side Mount or Asetek Front Mount. Together they cover supported models from Logitech, Fanatec, MOZA Racing, Thrustmaster, Simagic, PXN, Simucube, Asetek, VRS, Conspit and Sim Lab. So if you change brands later, the frame stays.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Orange
Colour and livery choice
Few entry frames give you this much choice. The Hobby comes in plain colours like Black, White, Silver, Red, Orange, Gold, Green, Blue and Purple, plus liveries such as MARINI and JPS. Your setup looks personal from day one.
A complete box to start building
The box contains the profiles, chassis brackets, your chosen wheel mount, the assembly hardware and tools, white assembly gloves and the assembly guide. A Core side profile arm for a shifter or handbrake is included too. So you start building straight away, without a trip to the hardware store.
The cons you should know
No frame is perfect, and these are the limits to keep in mind.
A 40x40 profile has its limits
The Hobby uses a 40x40 mm main profile. That is strong for its range, but a thicker profile simply flexes less under very high loads. The pedal deck has a rated braking load of 150 kg. For stock pedals and lighter load cell sets, that is enough. If you push a very stiff load cell brake to the maximum every lap, the Club gives more reserve with 200 kg. Read how much pedal braking force a cockpit needs for the numbers behind this.
16 Nm is the ceiling
SIMGASM advises the Hobby for wheelbases up to and including 16 Nm. That covers a wide range of entry and mid range direct drive bases. But if you dream of a 20 Nm base or more, it is smarter to start with a thicker frame. Our article is a 40x40 sim racing cockpit strong enough explains where the limit comes from.
Seat and screen cost extra
The seat, seat slider, wheelbase, pedals and monitor stand are not included. That keeps the base price low and lets you reuse parts you own. Still, count these parts in your budget before you order.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Gold
Who gets the most out of a Hobby?
The Hobby shines for a clear group of drivers.
It suits occasional racers, first time rig owners and families who want a practical simulator with a clear upgrade path. One owner wrote in a review that he plans a second Hobby for his eldest daughter, so the youngest takes over his own. That says a lot about how a Hobby lives in a real home. If you race now and then, want to leave a wheel stand or folding seat behind and stay at or below 16 Nm, the Hobby is a strong match.
The idea behind it comes from the founder. Johan Akkerman, CEO and product designer of SIMGASM, believes every racer should have access to professional level equipment without a professional level budget. He led the full product development, which started in January 2026 at the SIMGASM base in Wijk bij Duurstede, and SIMGASM tests every product as part of a complete simulator.
SIMGASM | Core Integrated Single Monitor stand Vesa 75/100 - Black
Hobby or Club: the deciding question
For most buyers, the choice comes down to one simple question.
Do you expect to go above 16 Nm, or to brake very hard on a stiff load cell? Then choose the Club, with its 40x80 mm profile and 200 kg pedal deck rating. If not, the Hobby gives you the same aluminium profile idea in a smaller, lighter and cheaper package. Read Hobby or Club: which aluminium cockpit fits you for the full side by side. Still building your first setup? See is the SIMGASM Hobby worth it with a Logitech wheel, or compare every aluminium sim rig in the range.
Questions about the pros and cons of the Hobby
Here are short answers to what buyers ask most.
Is the SIMGASM Hobby good for beginners?
Yes. It is made for first time rig owners and occasional racers who want a real aluminium frame in a compact size.
What is the biggest downside of the Hobby?
The 16 Nm torque guidance. If you plan a stronger base, start with the Club or a higher tier.
Does the Hobby flex with load cell pedals?
For stock pedals and lighter load cell sets it stays solid, with a rated braking load of 150 kg at the pedal deck. For very stiff brakes, the Club gives more reserve.
Is a seat included with the Hobby?
No. The seat is sold separately, so you choose a Core seat or reuse a seat you already own.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
